Huron’s own hockey hero

Huron’s own hockey hero

Huron County's hometown hero Ryan O'Reilly recently won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues for the first time in franchise history. O'Reilly was also presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP in playoff action. FILE PHOTO

The moment had been practised hundreds of times in the O’Reilly home in Varna.

Brothers Ryan and Cal would play table hockey in their kitchen, with the winner hoisting a makeshift trophy.

But in an historic game in Boston between the Bruins and the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night, 28-year-old Ryan O’Reilly was able to hoist the real deal.

The Huron County native raised the Stanley Cup over this head while skating around the rink, after the Blues won their first championship in franchise history – and after O’Reilly was named winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.

He scored eight goals throughout the Blues’ triumphant playoff run, along with 15 assists, to earn the Most Valuable Player award.

The award was historic, as it was O’Reilly’s first season with a new team, an accomplishment never recorded in NHL history.

O’Reilly was born in Clinton to Bonnie and Brian O’Reilly, but the family lived in Varna within the Municipality of Bluewater.

For the O’Reillys, their son’s achievement is staggering.

In an interview the day after the Blues’ Stanley Cup win, Brian O’Reilly said Ryan’s hard work paid off.

“It is fantastic and well-deserved,” said the senior O’Reilly. “He put in the work to achieve it and to see the fruits of his labour pay off is deserving. He played a great playoff series and a lot of things went into him winning this.”

Ryan O’Reilly’s roots are firmly planted in the area. He attended St. James Elementary School in Seaforth and attended secondary school at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in Clinton.

His hockey career began when, at the age of three, he joined the minor hockey Seaforth Stars. years.

“Growing up we fostered a lot of kids that Ryan would play hockey with, and he always showed them the respect and that really paid off for him,” said Brian O’Reilly.

Following his time with the Seaforth organization, Ryan O’Reilly advanced to AAA hockey with the Huron-Perth Lakers in the Ontario Minor Hockey Alliance.

He was taken first overall in the 2007 OHL draft by the Erie Otters.

O’Reilly’s NHL career began in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft when he was selected in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Colorado Avalanche.

His trophy case includes two world championship gold medals as well as a silver and a gold from the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Huron County has been rooting for O’Reilly for some time. Storefronts in Seaforth have been decorated, and the hockey star’s jersey number – No. 90 – is frequently seen in various communities.

In Seaforth, a life-size photo of O’Reilly has been placed at the town hall for photographs. The St. Louis Blues player’s grandmother, Deirdre O’Reilly, still calls Seaforth home.

For his part, Ryan O’Reilly still lives in Central Huron and is building a new home on the lake.

His achievement on the ice has prompted all kinds of public adulation. Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn said some people are suggesting a sign honouring O’Reilly should be placed on the roads leading into Clinton, and that his jerseys should display in the local arena.

Although no events have yet been scheduled to formally honour O’Reilly, Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said municipal staff are working with other local communities to bring together a program or event. Suggested is a parade that will take in Seaforth, Clinton and Goderich.

On Thursday morning, only scant hours after the Blues beat the Bruins to win the Cup, the hallways at St. James Catholic Elementary School in Seaforth were decorated with Ryan O’Reilly photographs and posters.

Principal Dianne Vivian said O’Reilly’s accomplishments are immense and he’s serving as a role model for students.

“He has shown them that anyone is able to achieve what they put their minds into doing,” said Vivian.

St. James students decorated cupcakes and have written letters of congratulations to the school’s most famous grad.

Ellie Longstaff, a Grade 8 student, said Thursday there are very few Bruins fans in the school.

“It was just crazy, everyone was cheering for St. Louis. Everyone here now looks up to him as our role model.”

According to Brian O’Reilly, his son will be bringing the Stanley Cup to Huron County, but the time has yet to be determined.